Media Professionals Research Articles

Voluntary assisted dying: impacts on health professionals.

ObjectiveThe introduction and implementation of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation represents a major shift in Australian health policy. Given potential repercussions for health professionals, understanding how they are being affected by this legislation is important to guide future policy and legislative changes. This study aims to explore the perspectives and experiences of Australian health professionals on VAD and compare impacts on those working under different state legislation in Victoria and WA.MethodsData were collected using a cross-sectional survey design, targeting health professionals nationally, primarily doctors and nurses. The survey had closed and open-ended response options, was informed by previous publications and was piloted prior to further roll-out. Recruitment was via professional networks and social media. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed and qualitative data were coded using NVivo and thematically analysed.ResultsThere was a final sample size of 223. Impacts on clinicians identified include inadequate remuneration, a need for ongoing support and the recognition of barriers to mandatory training.ConclusionsImpacts on health practitioners, if not addressed, have future implications for workforce sustainability. Increasing numbers of trained VAD practitioners may enable distribution of clinical load and prevent burnout. VAD practitioners are not being appropriately remunerated, which could be addressed by introducing dedicated Medicare Benefits Schedule items for VAD. Attention should also be given to incentivising training, including continuing professional development accreditation and appropriate funding. Strategies to support staff could include debriefing, mentoring, peer support and psychological consultations.

Willingness-to-use and preferences for model-informed antenatal doses: a cross-sectional study among European healthcare practitioners and pregnant women.

Background: Physiological changes in pregnancy may affect drug safety and efficacy, sometimes requiring dose adjustments. Pregnancy-adjusted doses, however, are missing for most medications. Increasingly, pharmacokinetic models can be used for antenatal dose finding. Given the novelty of this technique and questions regarding dose credibility, the acceptability of model-informed antenatal doses should be explored. Objective: We aimed to assess the willingness-to-use and preferred features for model-informed antenatal doses among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and pregnant women in European countries. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study drawing on two open surveys was performed between 8 September and 30 November 2022. Each survey comprised statements drawn from prior focus groups, associated with Likert-scales. Themes included respondents' information needs, search behaviours along with their willingness-to-use and preferred features for model-informed antenatal doses. The surveys were disseminated through professional societies, pregnancy websites and social media. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results: In total, 608 HCPs from different specialties and 794 pregnant women across 15 countries participated, with 81% of respondents across both groups in the Netherlands or Belgium. Among pregnant women, 31% were medical professionals and 85% used medication during pregnancy. Eighty-three percent of HCPs found current antenatal pharmacotherapy suboptimal and 97% believed that model-informed antenatal doses would enhance the quality of antenatal care. Most HCPs (93%) and pregnant women (75%) would be willing to follow model-informed antenatal doses. Most HCPs desired access to the evidence (88%), including from pharmacokinetic modelling (62%). Most pregnant women (96%) wanted to understand antenatal dosing rationales and to be involved in dosing decisions (97%). Conclusion: The willingness-to-use model-informed antenatal doses is high among HCPs and pregnant women provided that certain information needs are met.

Healthcare transition practices of occupational therapists in South African public healthcare.

Healthcare transition (HCT), the process of transitioning an adolescent from paediatric- to adult-oriented care, is vital for improving the long-term health of adolescents with chronic conditions. The role of occupational therapy in HCT has not been well-researched. Effective HCT practices are necessary to ensure that adolescents have access to coordinated, optimal and uninterrupted occupational therapy services throughout this period of development. This study describes occupational therapists' self-perceived knowledge of HCT within the context of South African public health facilities, the HCT practices used, and the factors that promote or hinder the success of HCT within this context. The study utilised a quantitative, non-experimental and descriptive cross-sectional design. Simple convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants via professional databases and social media forums. An online survey was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and simple content analysis were used to analyse the information. This study identifies limitations in the knowledge and practical implementation of HCT within South African occupational therapy practice. Healthcare transition is characterised by inadequate use of policies, insufficient transition preparation and poor outcome measurements. There is a need for the development of training programmes and practice guidelines to optimise and support HCT implementation within South African occupational therapy practice. This study provides novel data on HCT practices utilised by occupational therapists in South African public health facilities. This study has potential use for the development of effective HCT programmes that can improve the functional outcomes of South African adolescents.

Factors associated with clinician willingness to adopt HPV self-sampling and self-testing for cervical cancer screening.

Cervical cancer screening rates in the USA fall behind national targets, requiring innovation to circumvent screening barriers. Cervical cancer screening where human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is performed on vaginal samples collected by the patients themselves (self-sampling) are effective and acceptable, and patient-operated rapid HPV tests (self-testing) are currently under development. It is unclear why there is ambivalence toward HPV self-sampling and self-testing among clinicians, an important stakeholder group. We conducted a mixed convergent quantitative and qualitative study to identify the factors influencing clinicians' attitudes toward self-sampling and self-testing. A survey of Midwest clinicians distributed by professional group media and a market research firm between May and November 2021 was analyzed (n = 248) alongside in-depth interviews with Midwest clinicians from professional groups (n = 23). Logistic regression models examined willingness to support self-sampling and self-testing across respondent characteristics. We report that family practice physicians and those in rural areas were more willing to adopt HPV self-sampling (adjusted OR (aOR) = 3.16 [1.43-6.99]; aOR = 2.17 [1.01-4.68]). Clinician willingness to support self-testing was positively associated with current use of self-testing for other conditions and negatively associated with performing 10 or more monthly cervical cancer screenings (aOR = 2.02 [1.03-3.95], aOR = 0.42 [0.23-0.78]). Qualitative data contextualize how clinical specialty and experience with self-sampling and self-testing for other conditions inform clinician perspectives. These data suggest clinician populations most accepting of initiatives to implement self-sampling and self-testing for cervical cancer screening and highlight that experience with other forms of self-testing could facilitate more widespread adoption for cervical cancer.

The risks of symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media in media coverage of russia’s military aggression against Ukraine

Introduction. The symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media may have destructive media effects on society in peacetime, but under wartime conditions, these effects may intensify, pose new threats, and weaken the state’s position in fighting against the enemy. Relevance of the study. Identifying and analyzing these risks is a critical and relevant topic and scientific task during Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, which has significantly scaled after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to analyze the risks of the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media in the coverage of Russia's aggression by Ukrainian journalists. Methodology. The negative consequences of the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media are identified through the analysis of scientific and media criticism articles. The risks of such ties during Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine were determined by induction, reasoning by analogy, ascent from the abstract to the concrete, synthesis, and generalization. Results. The disproportionate to the overall war threat, overly dramatic and sensitive, sensationalized, detailed coverage of Russia’s terrorist practices in the Ukrainian media can lead to destructive media influence desired by the enemy: spreading fear, panic and paralyzing pessimism among Ukrainians, which turn them into a dysfunctional, disorganized society incapable of mobilizing resources under existential threats; such a society usually makes more significant emotional, irrational political pressure on the authorities making concede to terrorists; polarization of public opinion and internal political destabilization; Ukrainians who are latent supporters of Russia may perceive massive terrorist attacks as a manifestation of Russian tremendous military capability and a call to action (risks of collaboration and sabotage); distraction of public attention from other problems, such as losses on the battlefield; obtaining information from the media about the psychological state of society, countermeasures of the security forces (OSINT intelligence), etc. Conclusions. When covering Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian journalists need to weaken the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media. They should develop a media frame for covering the Russian Federation’s terror that provides objective and comprehensive information for citizens and does not cause long-term destructive media effects on Ukrainian society, as well as indirect assistance to the enemy. Ukrainian media professionals can use the article’s results and journalistic examples to formulate or improve their editorial policy on media coverage of Russia’s terror in Ukraine.

The protector of public information as a defender of media enlightenment

The media are subjects of the legal order with duty to provide unbiased and truthful public information. All media are subject to public interest, but the content of public interest differs depending on the type of media. As a result of rendering the democratic society and the rule of law meaningless and inconsequential, there is abuse of freedom of public information. The question is no longer how to ensure the independence of the media from public authorities but how to ensure that the media serve the purposes of a democratic society and bring enlightenment in the public sphere. On the other hand, there is a challenge to preclude the arbitrariness of independent public authorities in the process of monitoring the media activities, which is a fatal disease in the state of law (Rechtsstaat). In the field of public information in the Republic of Serbia, there is an institutional imbalance between independent subjects of bodies in the field of public information. Considering that an effective legal form of control over the work of these independent public bodies has not been instituted yet, the establishment of the Protector of Public Information (Ombudsman), as a defender of media enlightenment, would be a positive step in the direction of establishing an institutional balance. The Ombudsman for Public Information (hereinafter: the PI Ombudsman) would be elected by the National Assembly from among prominent media professionals, based on the proposal of the journalists? association. The PI Ombudsman?s activities would entail control of the activities of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), media and other public information entities. The PI Ombudsman would not have the authority to impose legal sanctions but the exercised control of the activities of public information entities would enable the Ombudsman to issue warnings and recommendations to the Regulatory Body and the media, as well as to file motions to the competent authorities on observed or established irregularities, especially concerning the REM activities. Based on the radiating effect that may be exerted by the reputation of this independent public body, the actions of the Ombudsman for Public Information would aim to remove the arbitrariness of the media and the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media, as a necessary precondition for the development of an enlightened public sphere based on polite and reasoned discussion.

Exploration of Cultural Change of Film and Television Art Media Formation and Digital Cultivation Path of Media Talents

Abstract The ongoing evolution of digital technology significantly transforms the format of film and television media, simultaneously diversifying the training modes and requirements for media professionals. In this paper, the comprehensive characteristics of film and television art media are analyzed, and specific manifestations of cultural change in the form of film and television art media are identified. At the same time, combined with the cultural change manifestations, it helps media talents to find their role positioning, clarifies the digital literacy structure of media talents, and establishes a double-loop digital cultivation model of the connotation and form change of film and television art media. To further explore the digital cultivation of media talents, a quantitative analysis of data was conducted on the market development trend and the cultivation of media talents. It was found that the overall market demand for media talents increased by 65.67% between 2015 and 2023, but the employment rate of media talents decreased by 3.85 percentage points between 2016 and 2020. The χ2 -test value of digital training of media talents is 26.317, which has a very significant difference at the 1% level. The digital cultivation mode of media talents based on digital technology can effectively enhance the satisfaction of media talents, better meet the demand for talents in the film and television art media market, and help the media industry develop with high quality.

SPORT, MEDIA AND BUSINESS IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE IN THE 21ST CENTURY: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND SCHOLARS

Despite the shift from socialist to market economy and the proliferation of media outlets and opportunities, sport and media organizations in Southeast Europe have not kept up with global trends. Most teams and fixtures have become feeders for top leagues rather than remaining aspirational destinations in their own right. This phenomenon has manifested across all former Yugoslav republics. Yet, political divergences have hindered learning from neighboring countries’ mistakes and experiences.
 This paper outlines the broadcasting presence of selected leagues from Southeast Europe, describes the most common motivations for mediated sport consumption, and introduces the concept of mediatization of sport. Media professionals should develop contents designed to satisfy all motivations for sport spectatorship. Scholars should study such content, the professional situation of journalists and broadcasters, and the representation of foreign athletes and women in sport. Collaboration among scholars and professionals is vital for the continued development of sport, media and business in the region.

Media Ethics in the Era of Clickbait Journalism: Ethical Dilemmas and Solutions in Online Media

This article explores the complex terrain of media ethics in the context of modern clickbait journalism. It examines the pervasive ethical dilemmas arising from the widespread adoption of sensational and misleading content to maximize online engagement and revenue. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary approach, this research elucidates the impact of clickbait on traditional journalistic values such as accuracy, objectivity, transparency, and public interest. Furthermore, it highlights the ethical quandaries faced by media professionals, the potential erosion of public trust in media, and the broader societal consequences. In addition to elucidating the ethical dilemmas posed by clickbait journalism, this article proposes viable solutions and strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Exploring the role of media literacy, technological tools, and evolving ethical frameworks it offers a comprehensive perspective on how the media industry can navigate the ethical challenges of the digital age while upholding the principles of responsible journalism. This research contributes to the ongoing scholarly discourse surrounding media ethics, providing insights and guidance for media practitioners, scholars, and policymakers seeking to promote integrity and credibility in online media.

The Role of Media in Shaping Pakistan's Foreign Policy

This paper examines the relations between foreign policy and the media, with a special emphasis on Pakistan. The study looks at how media coverage affects Pakistan's foreign policy. It examines how the media shapes public opinion, informs legislators, and serves as a forum for policymaking. The study intends to investigate how Pakistani foreign policy is shaped by modern media comprehending larger contexts related to international relations. It makes the argument that more media coverage of foreign affairs affects public opinion, which in turn affects actions made by the government. According to the current study, Pakistan's varied media environment encourages thoughtful discussions on foreign policy, which in turn influences diplomatic tactics both at home and abroad. It conducts in-depth interviews with media professionals and politicians using a qualitative methodology to learn about their opinions on the complex interaction between foreign policy rhetoric and media coverage.

A MEDIA PANORAMA: ANALYSIS OF THE MESSAGES PUBLISHED BY THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF TURKEY IN TERMS OF “PRESS FREEDOM”

Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) is Turkey's largest professional media organization. As of November 2022, there are 3 thousand 780 permanent members. In order to become a member of the Association, it is required to working under a contract in the written and visual media, subject to the Press Labor Law No. 5953 (commonly known as the Law No.212), to have a press card and to have at least 2 years of professional experience. It is seen that TGC is particularly sensitive to the issue of freedom of the press, not only protecting the professional and personal rights of its member journalists, but also focusing on the general problems of the media and holding press statements, conferences, panels, demonstrations, etc. in this direction. In recent years, the Association has been making public its objections, reservations and criticisms about freedom of the press through press statements (messages) at almost every opportunity. These press releases are published both on the Association's website and shared via social media and e-mail. In this study, it has been tried to determine which topics, words/concepts and to what extent the freedom of the press matters in 155 press releases/messages published by TGC between January 1, 2022 and November 1, 2022, by analyzing content and discourse. Thus, a panorama of the main problems faced by the media in Turkey in recent years has been drawn through the messages of the largest professional organization of the press.

Development of Geomobile App-Based Outdoor Study to Improve Critical-Social Abilities and Collaborative in the 21st Century

Geography learning in high school is built through field and contextual experiences to verify the theories. The learning method used by the geography teacher is not quite effective in improving students’ critical-social and collaborative abilities. This study aims to 1) develop a Geomobile app-based outdoor study that is valid and practical, and 2) determine its effectiveness in improving students’ critical-social and collaborative abilities in the 21st century. This study used research and development with a modified version of the Borg and Gall model. This research utilized validity tests conducted by material experts, media professionals, and learning specialists. The authentic instruments used to measure critical-social and collaboration abilities. The data analyst used descriptive statistics to assess the quality of the product and conducted an independent sample t-test to evaluate the effectiveness of the Geomobile app for outdoor study. The research was conducted on 216 eleventh-grade Social Science students in five high schools in East Java Province during the academic year 2021–2022. Research findings show that students need tools to enhance essential skills in the 21st century through the use of Geomobile app-based outdoor study. The development results indicate that expert validation feedback on the Geomobile app is very positive, with an average rating of 93%. Additionally, the Geomobile app has been found to effectively enhance critical-social abilities by 59% and collaborative abilities by 63%. Therefore, this development effectively improves students’ abilities in the 21st century. The research has provided support for students to become future social agents, especially in terms of building a better working place and social community in the 21st century.

How to Cover Murder-Suicides: A Study of Irish Journalism Ethics

ABSTRACT Based on 12 in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study explores the attitudes of news media professionals toward Codes of Practice and guidelines and how they may conflict in the coverage of murder-suicide incidents. There is a dearth of research in this area, even though four organizations in Ireland have issued guidelines on how journalists should report on cases of this nature. This study found that news media professionals have a largely positive attitude toward guidelines and codes; however, news media conventions and routines can conflict with recommendations. Furthermore, the interview subjects’ sense of duty to the public, to provide a full and frank disclosure of information often outweighed their responsibility to any guide or code in the context of covering cases of murder-suicide. This raises critical issues for the coverage of cases of this nature, particularly when news values clash with Codes of Practice and guidelines.

No Laughing Matter: Media Framing a Local TV News Stunt Gone Wrong

In September 2021, two White male television personalities wore Afro wigs during a newscast as part of a gag dubbed “return to the 70s,” referring to the change in weather temperatures. A local activist and a professional media group called the prank disrespectful and inappropriate. Television station officials suspended the anchors from on-air duties and fired the station’s news director. These events generated headlines locally, nationally, and internationally. This paper is a case study centered on media coverage and grounded in framing theory. This multimethod approach includes a qualitative content analysis of articles and videos from newspapers, television stations, magazines, YouTube, websites, and blogs to identify news frames used by media outlets that covered the Afro wig incident.

The Abstract Book of the International Conference Populism in National and Global Media (24-25 November, 2023)

The theme of the Conference − Populism in Local and Global Media − appeared naturally from the insightful observation of the rise of nationalist political discourses in media, citizens’ protests, and their views expression on social media, associated with major political events and campaigns - the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the dramatic economic setback in recent years. This situation was well exploited by a range of actors (media professionals, politicians, influencers, and celebrities) in their populist communication and rhetoric across different media channels. In the light of all these constellations and challenges in Europe and worldwide, an idea evolved to invite media scholars and practitioners to discuss the nexus between populism, politics, communication, media, and wider society. Thus, we were pleased to receive numerous insightful proposals by media and communication scholars from Lithuania and abroad and to hold this illuminating conference on the populist communication and the multiplicity of the populist discourses in media. The The Abstract Book includes the welcoming text by the organizers, the conference programme, the abstracts of the keynote panels, and the abstracts of the thematic paper panels.

Kesetaraan Gender Egalitarianisme dalam Narasi Film Barbie melalui Perspektif Konstruktivisme

The issue of gender equality is not something new today. This issue has been widely discussed in a series of interesting stories full of meaning, one of which is in the form of a film. This research explores the representation of gender equality in the Barbie film released in 2023 and directed by Greta Gerwig from a constructivist perspective. The Barbie film is mass media that influences people's perceptions of gender bias. In the context of constructivism, films are considered the result of construction by media professionals, which can strengthen or change gender stereotypes that already exist in society. The research method used is a qualitative approach with Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis. The constructivism paradigm is used to understand how reality is understood and constructed by research subjects. The research subject is the representation of gender equality in the Barbie film narrative, while the research object is the dialogues in the film that will be analyzed. The results of the analysis show that the Barbie film depicts excessive expectations placed on women and criticizes views that trivialize or simplify issues of gender equality. The conclusion of this research is that the Barbie film as part of mass media depicts gender equality issues in a complex way and triggers critical thinking about gender stereotypes in society.

Self-censorship among online harassment targets: the role of support at work, harassment characteristics, and the target’s public visibility

ABSTRACTOnline harassment of professionals with public visibility has many potentially harmful societal consequences, including its probable silencing effect. Targeted individuals may refrain from voicing their opinion, which can negatively affect their professional and personal lives, but also the quality of public debate. This study examined the effect of perceived social support at work and perceived organizational support on self-censorship in response to work-related online harassment. We collected survey data based on representative samples from Finnish academics (N = 2,492), local politicians (N = 510), and media professionals (N = 695). We found that 64% of politicians, 58% of media professionals, and 30% of academics had experienced work-related online harassment. Among university staff, perceived social support from colleagues was negatively associated with self-censorship, and perceived social support from the closest supervisor had similar association among media professionals and politicians. Additionally, the frequency and severity of the harassment, as well as the target’s public visibility and female gender as predicted, along with other sociodemographic characteristics, were associated with self-censorship in response to online harassment. The results suggest that characteristics of the harassment and the target’s work environment influence the silencing effect of work-related online harassment and that perceived social support at work constitutes an important resource in dealing with harassment and its potential consequences.

ФОРМАЛЬНА ТА НЕФОРМАЛЬНА МЕДІАОСВІТА В УКРАЇНІ: ПРОБЛЕМИ І ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ

The article examines the current state of development of formal and non-formal media education in the Ukrainian educational space. A comprehensive analysis of the formal and informal aspects of the media education paradigm is carried out, and the key areas of their development are identified. The formal and non-formal aspects of media education are systematized, taking into account its impact on the development of media literacy and critical thinking of participants in the educational process. The media education experience and best practices of media education activities in formal and nonformal education in Ukraine are highlighted. It is determined that the media is one of the factors in the practical implementation of the theory of dialogue of cultures, and therefore acts as an important social institution of the modern information society. The current state of media literacy of teachers in Ukraine in the framework of formal and non-formal education is analyzed, and it is noted that the problem of media education requires scientific substantiation and the search for ways to modernize the system of professional development of scientific and pedagogical workers. The predominance of non-formal media education is obvious, but the availability and differentiation of media education programs provides teachers with a significant amount of opportunities for the development of personal and professional media culture. A modern teacher should become a generator of media literacy skills for participants in the educational process. Therefore, the value of teachers' media competence is gaining new importance for ensuring continuous education and sustainable development of Ukrainian society.

The Dynamics of ‘The British Identity’ as a Concept in Contemporary British Mass Media: A Discursive Analysis

This article explores the multifaceted nature of “The British Identity” within the context of political discourse, focusing on its representation in The Guardian newspaper. The aim of this study is to investigate the content specificity of the concept and its transformation under the influence of socio-cultural and extralinguistic factors. Through a qualitative analysis of selected articles from The Guardian, the paper examines the linguistic units used to represent the British identity and the evaluative nature of their expression. The study adopts a conceptual framework that considers the British identity as a political and cultural concept, susceptible to diverse interpretations and judgments within the ideological context. By employing a content analysis approach, the research reveals the tensions arising from the attempt to cater to both conservative and progressive factions of the UK society. The findings indicate that the representation of the British identity in The Guardian is influenced by socio-cultural factors, reflecting the evolving dynamics of British society. The analysis highlights the presence of evaluative expressions, reflecting the conceptual domain’s evaluative nature and its connection to political and cultural debates, particularly those concerning multiculturalism. While the study predominantly relies on articles from The Guardian, it acknowledges the need for broader source diversity to capture a more comprehensive understanding of the British identity. Moreover, the paper suggests that further research in this field holds promise for exploring the evolution and adaptation of conceptual domains in an ever-changing world. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the complex and evolving nature of the British identity within political discourse. The research serves as a foundation for future investigations into the concept of identity and its representation in professional media outlets, and its implications for social cohesion in diverse societies.

A Balancing Act: How Media Professionals Perceive the Implementation of News Recommender Systems

News recommender systems (NRS), the algorithmic automation and personalization of news recommendations, may benefit both media producers and users. Yet, they raise concerns about the quality, diversity, and responsibility of journalism. Despite growing research, empirical investigations on news media’s employment of NRS have remained scarce, particularly in small media markets and across different organizational types. To better understand how and why news organizations implement NRS, what benefits and concerns media professionals see, and how the perceived impact of NRS relates to how media professionals imagine their audience, we conducted qualitative interviews with 36 media professionals across two national contexts (CH and NL) and different types of news organizations. Overall, media professionals see the implementation of NRS as a balancing act between co-orientation with and demarcation from other news organizations and intermediaries. The perceived impact on users depends on media professionals’ imagined audiences.